It’s not the solution

By Roy See Wei Zhi, NST

KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry’s proposal to have weekend classes and tuition for students who have trouble with the English language was met with strong objection from teachers and parents yesterday.

While acknowledging that students’ mastery of the language was lacking, National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) president Hashim Adnan said having weekend classes was not the answer.

Instead, he proposed that additional English lessons be held during school days and retired English language teachers be roped in to help with teaching.

“Having classes during weekends will only burden the teachers and students. It is not a solution,” he said yesterday.

The NUTP represents 140,000 teachers nationwide.

The New Sunday Times reported that the move was being considered following the effectiveness of school programmes to improve the teaching and learning of the language. Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said efforts to improve students’ mastery of the language included the introduction of language laboratories and hiring 300 tutors from the United States to help teach English in low-performing schools.

He also said a decision on weekend classes would be made after monitoring and evaluating other school programmes for a year.

Hashim said bringing in American tutors was not viable and “not proper” as they would be paid a higher salary and this was unfair, especially to local teachers who were often overworked and had a lot on their shoulders.

“The cultural differences between the teachers (from the US) and students could also cause problems in the future,” he said, adding that retired teachers had more to offer students because they were “very experienced”.

Parent Action Group for Education (Page) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said weekend classes could only work if they were fun and interactive. “The classes must not be structured.

For example, teaching English literature in the form of a drama or a song ,” she said.

While admitting that extra classes would help students master the language, Noor Azimah said proficiency and technical knowledge of the language were two different things.

“Page believes more subjects taught in English will complement the students’ language-learning exper ience.” Some parents have also objected to weekend classes.

Helen Fernandez, 51, whose daughter is a Form Three student at SMK (P) Pudu, said weekend classes might cause more harm than good.

“Children will be fed up with schooling if the move goes through.

“School on weekends will also mean children not having time for other interests, such as swimming and music.” Another parent, who only wanted to be identified as Ridzuan, 40, said having “Speak English Days” in schools would be a better option.

“Everyone have to speak English on the designated days,” he said, adding that it would be a better learning experience.

George Alexander, 47, whose two children are at SMK Desa Petaling and SK Sungai Besi, said weekends were more for families to spend time together.